1 Cor 12:12ff Heb 3 Heb 10 Going solo? Dont go solo. What is community? Why does it matter? Definition?

Supportive relationships w/in the body of Christ to point each other to Christ because we see the urgency of the mission for Christ. Can be redefined if needed. It has been the people of Christ that are in my life that have pointed me to Christ and that love Christ. What place and impact have friendships, groups, relationships played in my life? A. What is community? Comm. Is not going to church or hanging out with people who do go to church. Its not a show that you watch. **You dont go to church, you ARE the church. Church is not a country club, it is a hospital. Our greatest dysfunction and need for a hospital is because of our sin, and the impact it has on our lives and how it ravages us. Because of that, that is why we need each other. But many have reduced their Christianity to just attending church once a week, or they attend a group but never get honest people in their lives; they dont open up and dont go deep with people. They wont share that they are about to lose their job, or my marriage is about to fall apart, and Im scared, I dont know what to do. 1 Cor 12 How Paul describes the body of Christ v12 many parts, but one body. All were baptized by one spirit, Jew Greek et. al. to form one body. Given of one spirit. v15 describes relationship within the body. Many parts but one body. Some are eyes, ears, mouth, hands, etc. but we need each other. v15 if we ignore this, we make/reduce church something we attend, then we ignore the body, and harm the body. B. We get the urgency of the mission. What is the mission? Great commission. We are to become disciples, followers of Christ, and are called to make others disciples of Christ as well. Not just getting them into heaven, or getting their ticket punched and waiting, etc. Kingdom starts NOW, and our task to make disciples is a life-long enterprise. Not just evangelism, but helping others to conform to the image of Christ. We begin to understand the urgency of what we are called to do by Christ. (Read Matt28) The other problem is that church, our groups, and relationships have become an end or goal as Christians; they are a means. Community is not an end, its a means. Community is the means by which we can accomplish the great commission. (We need to be careful to not get too people oriented or too task oriented and miss the point. Share Jacks experience)

Our time together, then is to fuel evangelism and disciple-making. Why do I hang out with the people? On one level, we are to hold each other accountable. For what? To make disciples, to build up each other in the body of Christ, to fulfill the great commission. Testimony: Do we know our faith story? Are we holding each other accountable for sharing that story with others? (This can happen at many different levels, but it needs to happen). We have relationships, but they are not an end, it is a means. Community is both/and; it is both an end; but it is also the means to accomplish the kingdom. To have a friendship with someone, where your relationship with each other pushes you to deeper things with Christ. As important as that friendship is, ultimately the realization is that we are called to go make disciples of everyone. C. Make a case for community, based on scripture. 51X one another Trinitarian we reflect the trinity in our relationship when we are in Christ and with each other. John 17 Make them one as we are one. Hebrews 3 Arguments in Heb. who are in danger of lapsing back into Judaism. v1 Fix your thoughts on Jesus. v3 Jesus is worthy of greater honor than Moses. v12-13 Dont have a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. v13 as long as it is called today encourage one another so that you wont be lead astray by sins deceitfulness Encourage one another. v13 13 , The vb. (109X) is used 4X in Hebrews.

Lit. can mean come along side, to help, encourage, to strengthen is indeed a daily task (3:13) and conceptually summarizes all pastoral ministry
One another text We are called to one another. the deceitfulness of sin. We have a problem and a solution. Acc to Genesis, sin literally crouches by the door like an animal waiting to seize its prey.

Sin gains control over us by deceiving us. Dont wake up one day and say, yes, today I will become an alcoholic, today I will start an affair. Instead, sin whispers to us, you are lonely, you are misunderstood, et. al., and we buy into it. We take this first small step, Sin hardens our heart, and we begin to lose perspective, we begin to have our view of things in Christ skewed because of our sin. If left on our own. A little here, and a little there, and slowly led away, Problem is v12, v13 is the solution. Coming together, in community is the best defense to keep from being deceived. Left on our own, we can be deceived, but in the community of others, we can have others who will come alongside us and encourage us, to help us when we weaken and are deceived, or when we are being pulled into the snare of sin, can call us back to our relationship with Christ, and to show us the deceitfulness of sin. Our sin is too deceitful, whether it is in the market place, family, marriages, changing the world, changing ourselves. We cant do it alone, we need each other. Three words: I Need You. I need you to pray for me. I need you to speak truth into my life I need you to hold me accountable in this area I need you to help me with my anger. Not a statement of weakness, but a statement of strength. Goal: to have a church full of people who can say, I need you Those who struggle with this: The really successful, the affluent, the well to do, comfortable; those who are weak, hurting, suffering loss, whether addiction, loneliness, etc., something going on in the closet People in both tend to keep their distance, keep others at a distance. Image management Assoc with people in their group, who are like them. v12 and 13 says that community is the only way that you will be delivered from a sinful, fallen world and the deceitfulness of sin. Our relationship is meant to be personal, but God never meant for it to be private. I need you, you need me, we need each other. Heb 10 2nd reason why community is important v19 confidence by the blood of Jesus; full assurance v22 Metaphors: because of what Jesus has done. Call to live with confidence in our relationship with God, because of what Christ has done. God wants us to live a life of faith and confidence. We are whole and complete in Christ.

v23 Hope; our hope is in Jesus. We hold that hope as we go through the ups and downs of life, and how we get through these v24 how can we spur each other on to one another to good deeds? Community matters because it helps us to remember who we are in Christ, our identity, the opportunities for encouragement and contentment when all things come at us. Hope vs 23 Spurring on to good deeds v24 Relationships v 25 Gods gift to us is the church, dont miss it. We are busy, we can be tedious, nasty, etc., that we dont need this, Im the lone ranger, etc v25 forsaking meeting together people are drawn away, losing faith, growing cold. Our individual walk with Christ is very important, but it is not going solo; it is a community project.

Community is a buzzword in church circles. Book, websites, conferences all proclaim the importance of community and offer advice on how to go about creating and building community. Community is covenant. The Hebrew Scriptures use the word hesed to refer to Gods covenant love, faithfulness and loving kindness. God calls the Hebrew people, the early church, the church through the ages, and us into community. And it is faithfulness in Christ to Gods call through Gods Spirit that keeps us in community. So community is God ordained, Christ centered, and Spirit lead. Faith communities need to begin with simple but fundamental questions: who are we? What are we supposed to be doing? Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. Being free means "being free for the other," because the other has bound me to him. Only in relationship with the other am I free Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "He who loves community destroys community; he who loves the brethren builds community." Community is not an ideal; it is people. Love of self and love of others are ultimately grounded in the love of God. The church misinterprets Gods love when it thinks it is merely for individual self-interest. Gods presence in our lives should turn us into Christian disciples for an alternative world. Christian discipleship is love in the service of justice and righteousness. Levinas rejects this common western approach to truth and unfolds an understanding that places ethics prior to philosophy, enabling a different relationship between people and opening the way to the third element of the model for holiness ethics. Holiness is connected with truth through a different relationship than in ontologically centered philosophy. With the opening of ethics, as Levinas presents it, we have instead a fundamental asymmetry, in which I am responsible for the other but he or she is not responsible for me. It means putting aside what I want and working towards what best suits the community. A sanctuary where we can go, be ourselves, and keep the negative influences of the outside world at a distance. A place where people can be themselves. Interdependence (and love, and service, and fun), To really do life together

John 13:14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 15:12-13 This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. Acts 1:14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 2:46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, Acts 4:32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. Romans 14:3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Romans 14:7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brothers way. Romans 14:19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 15:5-7 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 1 Corinthians 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant on behalf of one against the other. 1 Corinthians 5:11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler not even to eat with such a one. 1 Corinthians 6:1 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 1 Corinthians 10:17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:11-14 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Corinthians 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 14:26 Well, my brothers and sisters, lets summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 5:13 -15 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one anothers burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Philippians 2:2-3 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:15-16 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:13 Live in peace with one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called Today, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 10:24-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it may be defiled; James 4:11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. James 5:9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 1 John 3:23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1 John 4:20-21 If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.